Not Pyrex Or Fiestaware: The Vintage Glassware That's Worth Hunting For At Thrift Stores

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When you head to your local thrift store, you most likely have your checklist of things to look out for — valuable vintage Pyrex, colorful Fiestaware, and whimsical CorningWare. Well, here's another one to add to your list: mid-century modern (MCM) glassware from Libbey, namely the famed "Kit Kat" glasses. While Libbey's contributions to mid-century modern style may not generate the same amount of buzz as those from Pyrex, Corning, and Fiestaware, it's equally in-demand with collectors who are in the know.

In the mid-20th century, glassware designer Maida Armour produced several fun patterns for Libbey Glass, including perky blue parakeets, golden French poodles, and the iconic Siamese cats found on the Kit Kat Cool Cat glassware. The Kit Kat glasses were made in several sizes, including a 7-inch highball glass and a 5 1/2-inch Tom Collins glass. Given the fragile nature of glass, there aren't that many of the Kit Kat glasses still floating around out there, which means that these rare pieces can command a pretty penny. Recently, sets have been listed on sites like Etsy and eBay in the range of $200 to over $450.

The Kit Kat Cool Cat glasses aren't your run-of-the-mill Libbey glassware, which is why they command such high prices (averaging between $50 and $100 per individual glass). The pattern, which features screenprinted black Siamese cats, is adorned with gold details, such as earrings, necklaces and bracelets on the "girl" cats and berets and scarves on the "boy" cats. The girl cats also have rhinestone jewels attached to their necklaces while the boy cats have rhinestone cufflinks and tiepins on some glasses. The pattern is printed on a frosted, rather than clear, glass. To confirm you're looking at the real deal, check for the cursive "L" stamp on the glassware's bottom.

With their gold detailing, sparkling jewels — not to mention the swingingly cool cats featured on them — the glasses will look right at home on a mid-century modern-style bar cart or set on display in a hutch. Given their high price and the delicate detailing on them, you may want to leave your Kit Kat glasses for show only, rather than mixing up and serving drinks in them. And, while the Kit Kat glasses may be the coolest of the bunch, they are far from the only mid-century Libbey glassware that's worth hundreds. Get to know some of the brand's other patterns, like cavalcade ponies and golden foliage, and add mid-century Libbey glassware to your thrift store checklist.